A study conducted by the Russian Institute of Science (RAS) Institute of Psychology finds that 49% of Russians show signs of depression and 33% report anxiety.
These levels are driven by rising inflation, slowing economic growth, and expectations of military escalation.
[Original in Russian. Automated translation with minimal edits.]
The psychological state of Russians leaves much to be desired. Signs of depression were noted in every second respondent (49%), and anxiety in every third (33%), and a high severity of anxiety-depressive symptoms is characteristic of 36% of Russians, the monitoring of the Institute of Psychology of the Russian Academy of Sciences showed.
“This indicator is supported primarily by pessimistic economic expectations, as well as the weakening of hope for the early completion of the SVO,” the academics note. The economy has almost stopped growing, in its civilian part, the decline, wage and income growth has slowed, and inflation has risen, Ukrainian drone attacks have caused a fuel crisis and are destroying marketplaces. However, Vladimir Putin is preparing for an escalation of hostilities.
For residents of large cities, symptoms of depression are more characteristic, and for rural residents - anxiety, notes IE RAS. The lowest psychological well-being among young people aged 25-34 (their psycho-emotional state has been deteriorating since spring) and people with low incomes.
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Depressive states can be a consequence of the economic situation, but at the same time they themselves are a factor that reduces economic activity. “These psychological mechanisms can influence perceptions of economic performance and lead to ... economic pessimism growing.”
Pessimism already prevails. FOM polls commissioned by the Central Bank show a noticeable deterioration in expectations of Russians: in the summer they fell below 100 points, which share pessimism and optimism. Other polls FOM recorded an increase in anxiety of people, the share of those in whose environment it prevails, since February exceeds the share of those who are surrounded by people mostly calm.
Especially a large proportion of those who are anxious at the thought of their finances. According to the IP RAS, it grew by May to 66%, by early July it decreased to 56%, and in July-August it grew again. The fuel crisis gave way to attacks on Wildberries warehouses, followed by a second wave of gasoline shortages.
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Depression and anxiety aren’t just in people’s answers to questions. The Russians for the third year in a row broke records for sales of antidepressants. This may indicate that people began to suffer more mental disorders that are treated with antidepressants - this is not only depression, but also an adaptation disorder, anxiety disorders, psychiatrist Viktor Lebedev told TMT.
In this state, people have several strategies of behavior, notes the IP. Anxiety increases the consumption of basic necessities, and symptoms of depression in a crisis can increase the consumption of “hedonistic” entertainment products (although with severe depression, the desire for such purchases decreases). The severity of anxiety and depression increases the tendency to compulsive consumption. In addition, economic pessimism can strengthen outstripping consumption: anticipation of rising prices, new restrictions and higher taxes can spur demand for durable goods, the academics write. According to them, the growth of consumer demand, which in the second quarter added 6% year-on-year, is associated, among other things, with the increase in financial anxiety of the population, the response to which is an additional increase in consumption.
Rising prices, a slowdown in the growth of real disposable incomes and the loss of hope for a quick end to the war deprive people of faith that they can influence what is happening. According to him, since 2022, the share of respondents who believe that in the current circumstances, what happens in their lives depends more on them. In July, they were only 38% compared to 67% in April 2022.
If high anxiety about the future and a downward trend in perceived control persist, there will be long-term consequences, academics warn. The value of family and friendships as protection against future uncertainty will be strengthened, but reproductive attitudes will be weakened, young Russians will be more inclined to postpone the birth of children.